Nanjing, May 23 (Xinhua) — The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) began joint military exercises around the island of Taiwan at 7:45 a.m. Thursday (Beijing time).
The exercises are taking place in the Taiwan Strait, to the north, south and east of the island, as well as in areas around the islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin.
Li Xi, spokesman for the theater command, said the military services, including the army, navy, air force and rocket force of the theater command, are being organized to hold the joint exercises, codenamed Joint Sword. -2024A, from Thursday to Friday.
The exercises focus on sea-air combat readiness patrolling, joint comprehensive battlefield control capture and joint precision strikes on key targets, Li explained, adding that the exercises involve patrolling with ships and aircraft close to areas around the island of Taiwan and integrated operations within and outside the island chain to test the joint actual combat capabilities of the commando forces.
The spokesman said the exercises also serve as a strong punishment for the separatist actions of the “Taiwan independence” forces and as a stern warning against interference and provocation by external forces.
